time which was obvious (p < 0.05). Spraying method resulted in
higher calcium content in the calcium fortified rice premix as
compared to soaking method. This may be possibly due to the fact
that in spraying method fixed amount of calcium solution was
applied on the rice surface may be totally absorbed by the rice
kernels and diffused towards their centres. It may be observed by
the volume increase of the rice kernels due to the absorbed water.
Besides, in spraying method, calcium solution which could not
diffuse to rice grain might be dried on the surface of the grain itself,
thereby, increasing the calcium content that may be protected from
leaching losses by biopolymer coatings. Moreover, spraying
method may be economical and no environmental issues would be
arising as compared to soaking method. Kyritsi et al. (2011)
observed the lower vitamins content in fortified dry rice, prepared
using soaking method than spraying method and also recommended
the spraying method due to being a physical process
and easily applicable to a conventional rice mill plant.